Awards give Olympic contenders extra boost

Published on Wednesday 16 December 2009 22:14

BRITAIN'S top sport stars said they were spurred on towards competing at the upcoming Olympic Games in Vancouver and London after being named as the British Olympic Association's athletes of the year.

While most have their eyes set on 2012 and a Summer Games on home soil in London, for one Scottish duo it is all about Vancouver in February.

Livingston siblings Sinead and John Kerr received the ice skating award and said: "We are greatly honoured to receive this award and we hope we can continue to build on our successes of this season up to the Olympics in February."

World triple jump champion Phillips Idowu is the athlete of the year and said: "I am really grateful as it is further recognition of my success this year in Berlin, and how hard I've worked throughout my career in general. Winning gold to become world triple jump champion was amazing and means everything to me, and now I'm more motivated than ever to go on and win more medals."

Officials chose top British performers from each of the Olympic sports. Cheshire gymnast Beth Tweddle, 24, who became a world champion on the floor apparatus this year, said: "The last 12 months have been fantastic for me personally and indeed for the whole British Gymnastics team.

"To win double European gold and become World Champion again after a three-year break has proved that all of the many hours of hard work put in by myself and my coach has been worth it.

"This gives me more confidence and motivation to continue to work hard in the gym to hopefully go on to further success in 2010 and beyond."

2009 BOA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR WINNERS

&#149 Aquatics: Gemma Spofforth

&#149 Archery: Simon Terry

&#149 Athletics: Phillips Idowu

&#149 Badminton: Donna Kellogg and Anthony Clark

&#149 Basketball: Jo Leedham

&#149 Biathlon: Lee Jackson

&#149 Bobsleigh: Nicola Minichiello and Gillian Cooke

&#149 Boxing: Martin Ward

&#149 Canoeing: Rachel Cawthorn

&#149 Cycling: Lizzie Armistead

&#149 Curling: Ewan McDonald

&#149 Equestrian: Kristina Cook

&#149 Fencing: Richard Kruse

&#149 Gymnastics: Beth Tweddle

&#149 Hockey: Barry Middleton

&#149 Ice Skating: Sinead and John Kerr

&#149 Judo: Karina Bryant

&#149 Luge: Adam Rosen

&#149 Modern Pentathlon: Heather Fell

&#149 Sailing: Paul Goodison

&#149 Shooting: Richard Faulds

&#149 Skiing: Chemmy Alcott

&#149 Taekwondo: Bianca Walkden

&#149 Tennis: Andy Murray

&#149 Triathlon: Alistair Brownlee

&#149 Volleyball: Lynn Beattie

&#149 Weightlifting: Peter Kirkbride

&#149 Wrestling: Leon Rattigan